Absorbent product



Dec. 13, 1960 w. H. ASHTON EIAL ABSORBENT PRODUCT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 17, 1959 r r t Dec. 13, 1960 w, ASHTON ETAL 2,964,041

ABSORBENT PRODUCT Filed June 17, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y; Q 2e INVENTOR.Wu 1 m N H. A sHm/v owmw NoRsE BY M ATTORNEY 1960 w. H. ASHTON ETAL2,964,041

ABSORBENT PRODUCT Filed June 17, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY I TTORNEY:

T In

United States ABSORBENT PRODUCT William H. Ashton, Philadelphia, Pa.,and Edward A.

Morse, Fanwood, N.J., assignors to Personal Products Corporation, acorporation of New Jersey Filed June 17, 1959, Ser. No. 820,928

16 Claims. (Cl. 128-290) This invention relates to sanitary napkins andmore particularly to sanitary napkins of improved form and of improvedfluid absorbency and fluid retentivity characteristics.

Conventional sanitary napkins are generally of a flat, rectangularshape. To conform them to the contours of the female pubic area, it isnecessary that they be bent transversely into a curved shape. Also,because a conventional napkin is generally wider than the space betweenthe legs adjacent the female pubic area, it must be foldedlongitudinally with its edge portions extending downwardly.

In so conforming a conventional napkin to the body contours, a series ofcorrugations and folds are formed on the surface of the napkin whichcontacts the body. These corrugations and ridges prevent the desiredintimate contact between the napkin and that portion of the body of thewearer where a snug fit is necessary for proper functioning of thenapkin. To cause a napkin of conventional form to conform to thecontours of the body, it is necessary to apply tension to the sanitarybelt to which the napkin is customarily attached. This producesdiscomfort.

Distorting the napkin to fit the female pubic area also affects thefluid retentivity and absorption characteristics of the napkin. When thenapkin is so distorted, certain portions thereof are compressed, and theability of the napkin, particularly the compressed portions, to absorband retain fluid is reduced. Often, such distortion causes absorbedfluid to be squeezed out, thus wetting adjacent body surfaces.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a sanitary napkinhaving an arcuate shape generally approximating the arcuate shape of theexterior female pubic area to which it is applied which permits thenapkin to be worn comfortably. The arcuate shape of the napkin ispreformed and stabilized so that it is not required, as with napkins ofconventional shape, to distort the napkin of the invention to make itconform to the configuration of the pubic area. The longitudinal andtransverse corrugations and ridges resulting from deforming conventionalnapkins are avoided. In addition, the napkin of the inventioncontemplates interior constructions which, besides imparting formstability to the napkin, also confine absorbed fluid to a selected areaand impede its penetration through to the sides and the lower surface ofthe napkin. The napkin of the invention further includes addedadvantages through exterior constructions which provide softness whichminimize irritation due to rubbing and chafing, and thus make the napkinmore comfortable to wear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the napkin illustrating the position of asuitable pinning strip for attaching the napkin;

Fig. 2 is a View of the napkin of Fig. 1 as seen from above;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the napkin, cut away to reveal its innerconstruction;

fiflfiifidl Patented Dec. 13, 1950 ree scale of Fig. 1 taken in thedirection of planes '7, 8 and 9, respectively;

Fig. 7 is a top view of a multi-ply pad from which the napkin may beformed;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the pad of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an isometric View of the pad illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8,showing the manner in which the pad may be formed prior to being formedinto a napkin;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another form of napkin incorporatingthe invention;

Fig. 11 is a view of a barrier film which is incorporated into thenapkin, illustrating the curved shape it assumes;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of thenapkin of Fig. 10 with its cover removed; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of Fig. 10, taken alonglines 1313.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a napkin 10, generally of anelongated shape to cover the area be tween the labia majora and theanus, having front and rear ends 11 and 12 respectively which arerelatively broad in width, as best seen in Fig. 2, and a center portion13 which is preferably somewhat narrower. By tapering the napkininwardly from the ends toward the center, the napkin will fitcomfortably between the legs and buttocks. The center portion of thenapkin is also preferably somewhat thicker than the end portions toprovide maximum absorbency in the region where it is needed. The endportions of the napkin are desirably, as seen in Fig. 1, tapered inthickness so that the ends will lie flat against the body and mergesmoothly with adjacent body surfaces to eliminate bulges. Preferably,the front end is slightly thicker than the rear end.

The napkin has an arcuate shape approximating that of the exteriorfemale pubic area where it is positioned in use, thereby eliminating theformation of ridges and corrugations, especially in the transversedirection, as has been experienced heretofore with conventional napkins.By providing the napkin with such arcuate shape, the napkin can beplaced in intimate contact with the body without resorting todeformation.

To secure the napkin in position for use, a pinning or carrier strip 14is attached to the bottom of and is eX- tended beyond the ends of thenapkin to provide front and rear attaching tabs 15 and 16. The pinningstrip may be any of the materials found suitable heretofore possessingsufiicient strength to bear the stresses imposed during use. Pinningstrips of gauze or a nonwoven fabric are satisfactory. The strip may beadhesively secured throughout the entire length of the napkin, to theends 11 and 12 thereof, or secured in any other suitable manner.Alternatively, the napkin may be covered with a wrapper whose endsextend beyond the ends of the absorbent portion to provide attachingtabs.

To provide fluid absorbency and to retain fluid in the interior, thenapkin is provided with an elongated core 17 of absorbent material, suchas comminuted wood pulp fibers; other fibers may be used, includingcotton linters, rag waste and absorbent cotton, but comminuted wood pulpfibers are preferred because they are highly abnapkin as will beexplained below. The material may be thermoplastic or thermosetting; itmay be in the form of a continuous film, as a woven or nonwoven fabriclayer, or it may be in other forms.

Thermoplastic materials soften when heated, and when soft, can be moldedinto different shapes which they retain upon cooling. Thermosettingmaterials, on the other hand, rigidify when heat is applied. To mold thenapkin into the desired form with a thermosetting material, the napkinis formed into the desired shape by placing it in a mold and heating.The heat causes the thermosetting material to set and form the napkin.Such thermoplastic materials include the resins of phenolformaldehyde,urea formaldehyde and resorcinol formaldehyde. Napkins containingthermoplastic materials may be formed by heating the napkin, placing ina suitable mold and cooling. Examples of thermoplastic materials includepolyethylene, polyvinyl, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, andpolypropylene. Papers or fabrics coated, sprayed or impregnated with avariety of thermosetting or thermoplastic materials may be used. Thesematerials include polystyrene, polypropylene, the vinyl polymers, vinylchloride polymers, the copolymers of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate,phenol-formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde and aniline formaldehyde. Thetype and amount of heat activatable material used is so selected thatthe napkin is not made unduly stifl while still having structuralstability. Polyethylene films from about 0.002 to about 0.006 inch thickare particularly suitable and effective.

Fluid absorbed by the napkin is also confined in the interior thereof bythe heat activatable film or layer 18 due to its relatively continuousform and to its fluid repellent characteristics. As fluid strikes theupper surface of the napkin, it penetrates rapidly into the interior,whereupon it is retained and confined in the absorbent core. The area onthe surface of the napkin upon which fluid normally impinges is usuallysmall with the result that the napkin becomes saturated rapidly in themoistened area. When this occurs, fluid contacting the fluid repellentlayer 18 is spread in the absorbent core towards the ends of the napkin,thereby more fully utilizing the absorbing effectiveness of the core.Because of the way it is positioned, the fluid repellent layer alsoprevents fluid absorbed by the napkin from striking through to the sidesand bottom of the napkin and wetting adjacent body surfaces.

The core of absorbent fibers and the fluid repellent heat activatablelayer are covered with an outer layer 19, preferably containingabsorbent fibers, to impart softness to the napkin so that it may becomfortably worn. Outer layer 19 is desirably made sufficiently thickand fluffy to cover the absorbent core 17 and the fluid repellent layer18 to prevent the layer from contacting the body and causing irritationdue to chafing and rubbing. Where the features of comfort are not asimportant, the outer layer 19 may be one or more sheets of paper, suchas tissue paper, which are preferably absorbent.

The napkin has an outer wrapper 20 of a fluid pervious material whichpreferably conforms closely to the shape of the napkin. Stockinetmaterial made of cotton or rayon yarn has been found particularlysuitable as. an outer wrapper in that it is of an open mesh structure,and permits fluid to pass through readily. It is also extensible andelastic so that it will stretch, or contract, as necessary, to conformit to the configuration of the napkin. The absorbent portion of thenapkin may be placed into a tube of such stockinet material whose lengthis slightly longer than the length of the absorbent portion of thenapkin, and the ends 21 of the 'stockinet material tucked under thebottom surface of the napkin adjacent the ends 11 and 12, as illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. The adhesive material used to attach the pinning stripto the underside of the napkin may also be used to attach the foldedends of the stockinet wrapper in position. Other fluid perviousmaterials in similar tubular form, or other forms of wrappers, may beused if desired, such as creped fabrics, knitted fabrics, includingtricot knits, woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics. Knitted fabrics, orfabrics possessing similar extensibility characteristics, are preferredbecause they can be made to conform to the 4 napkin shape to provide asmooth surface, free of folds and wrinkles.

As has been experienced with conventional anpkins, the efficiency of anapkin and the protection it provides will be unsatisfactory if thenapkin is not maintained in intimate contact with the body. To obtainthe desired intimate contact with conventional napkins, it has beennecessary to deform the napkin to the shape of the pubic area byapplying tension to the belt to which the napkin is attached. Thetension required often causes the belt to slide on the body and producesdiscomfort. By positioning the pinning strip 14 on the bottom of thenapkin and extending it along its length and beyond the ends thereof toprovide the attaching tabs, a better suspension of the napkin and a morecomfortable, intimate fit between the napkin and the body is obtained.When a napkin having a pinning strip so located is attached to a belt orotherwise secured in position, the forces exerted on the pinning tabs 15and 16 are distributed through the pinning strip to the underside of thenapkin. By underslinging the napkins pinning strip in this manner, thenapkin can be held in intimate contact with the adjacent body surfacesso that the advantages present in the napkin due to its configurationand construction will be fully utilized.

A napkin embodying the invention may be prepared from a laminate of thetype illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The laminate consists of thethick, flufly, fibrous bottom layer 19 of carded absorbent fibers, suchas cotton, approximately six and one-half inches wide, eight andone-half inches long and weighing from about five to six grams. A thinsheet of polyethylene film 18 about two mils thick, three and one-halfinches wide and six and three-quarters inches long, is placed centrallyupon the upper surface of the fibrous layer 19. The thick layer ofabsorbent fibers 17, such as disintegrated wood pulp fibers weighingabout six grams, and which forms the core of the napkin, is then placedcentrally upon the polyethylene film 18. The layer may be about the samelength as the polyethylene film upon which it is placed, andapproximately two inches wide.

After the laminate has been formed, the longitudinal edges 22 and 23 ofthe bottom layer of fibers 19 are brought upwardly around thepolyethylene film and fibrous absorbent core and overlapped on the topsurface thereof, as seen in Fig. 9, thus enveloping the polyethylenefilm and absorbent core. In bringing the longitudinal edges of thefibrous layer up around the film and core and overlapping the edges ontop, the longitudinal edges 24 and 25 of the polyethylene film are alsopreferably brought upward to extend along the adjacent sides of theedges of the absorbent core, thus covering the absorbent core on thebottom and side edges. The laminate is then heated dielectrically toheat the interior of the laminate until the polyethylene film starts tosoften and the wood pulp fibers adjacent the film begin to adhere to it.It is then placed into a mold of the desired configuration and the moldclosed to form the napkin into the stabilized arcuate shape. As the moldis closed, suitable cutting devices may be incorporated with the mold tocut the ends of the laminate during the mold closing operation. Afterthe napkin has been molded into the desired form, it is removed from themold, cooled, covered with the wrapper 20 and the pinning strip 1attached to complete the napkin.

The softened polyethylene film is formed into the arcuate shape by themold. Upon cooling, it sets into shape and retains the napkin in themolded form. During the heating operation, the film softens sufficientlyso that often the fibers adjacent the film adhere to it and contributeto the form stability of the napkin. The amount of heat applied to thenapkin during the forming process is determined by the type of materialused. The amount of heat applied should be sufilcient to cause the filmto soften, if thermoplastic, or set, if thermosetting, so that it can beformed and retained in the desired shape.

In Fig. there is illustrated another form of sanitary napkin embodyingthe invention. In this form, the napkin includes elements similar tothose disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,namely, an elongated core 17 of absorbent fibers having a layer 26 ofheat activatable material which is similar to layer 18 in the embodimentdisclosed above, but which covers the bottom surface of the core anddoes not extend up the sides thereof. The bottom surface of the layer ofheat activatable material is covered with a layer 19 of absorbentfibrous material, such as cotton, similar to but somewhat thinner thanlayer 19 in the napkin referred to above. The bottom surface of theabsorbent layer 19 may, in turn, be covered with one or more plies ofcreped paper 27. Alternatively, the creped paper may extend around allthe interior components of the napkin, e.g. the absorbent core, thelayer of heat activatable material and the layer of absorbent fibrousmaterial, in the form of an envelope to minimize dusting of the fibers,particularly when the wrapper for the napkins is of an open porousconstruction, such as gauze, or when the core 17 or the absorbent layer19 is formed of short length fibers, such as wood pulp fibers. Theabsorbent core is covered with a wrapper 28 of a liquid perviousmaterial whose ends 29 extend beyond the ends of the core to provideattachment tabs for securing the napkin in position on the body of thewearer. The longitudinal edges of the wrapper are preferably overlappedon the bottom of the napkin, as illustrated in Fig. 13, so that the sideof the napkin to be placed against the body presents a continuous,unbroken surface.

The form assumed by the layer of heat activatable material after thenapkin has been heated and molded into shape is illustrated in Figs. 11and 12. The layer, although originally flat, assumes a generally arcuateconfiguration in its longitudinal direction upon heating and thencooling, thereby imparting form stability to the napkin.

As noted above, as a consequence of the heat activatable properties ofthe layers 18 and 26, and as in the napkin embodiments described above,and as illustrated in Fig. 12 in connection with layer 26, the fibers inthe absorbent core 17 adjacent the surface of the layer of heatactivatable material may adhere to some extent to the surface of theheat activatable material, thereby further stabilizing the napkin in itsarcuate shape. In addition, the fibers in absorbent layer 1.9 adjacentthe surface of the layer of heat activatable material may also adhere tothe surface thereof further stabilizing the napkin. Such bonding of thefibers to the layer of heat activatable material stabilizes the positionof the heat activatable material with respect to the other components ofthe napkin to minimize shifting thereof.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described variousillustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood thatchanges in the details of construction, combinations and arrangements ofthe parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our ap plications U.S.Serial Nos. 599,407, filed July 23, 1956, and 696,529, now abandoned,filed November 14, 1957, both for Absorbent Product.

What is claimed is:

l. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a liquid repellent layerof heat activatable material covering the bottom of said core, a softlayer of absorbent material covering said repellent layer and core, anda liquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends dforming tabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin being structurallystabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said layer of heatactivatable material, said material also providing a barrier to the flowof liquid through said napkin.

2. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape in the direction of its length approximatingthat of the exterior female pubic area to cover said area from forwardof the labia majora to the anus, said napkin having an elongatedabsorbent core, a liquid repellent layer of heat activatable materialcovering the bottom of said core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper,some of the fibers in said core in contact with the said heatactivatable layer being adhered thereto, said napkin having extendingends forming tabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin beingstructurally stabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said layer ofheat activatable material, said material also providing a barrier to theflow of liquid through said napkin.

3. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a liquid repellent layerof heat activatable material covering the bottom and extending up thesides of said core, a soft layer of absorbent material covering saidrepellent layer and core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper, saidnapkin having extending ends forming tabs for attaching said napkin,said napkin being structurally stabilized in said preformed arcuateshape by said layer of heat activatable material, said material alsoproviding a barrier to the flow of liquid through said napkin.

4. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a liquid repellent layerof heat activatable material covering the bottom of said core, a softlayer of absorbent material covering said repellent layer and core and aliquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends formingtabs for attaching said napkin, said layer of heat activatable materialhaving an arcuate shape in the direction of the length of said napkin,said napkin being structurally stabilized in said preformed arcuateshape by said layer of heat activatable material, said material alsoproviding a barrier to the flow of liquid through said napkin.

5. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approxi mating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin tapering inwardly from its ends to a relatively smallerwidth at its center to fit comfortably in said area, said napkin havingan elongated absorbent core, a liquid repellent layer of heatactivatable material covering the bottom of said core, a soft layer ofabsorbent material covering said repellent layer and core, and a liquidpervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends forming tabsfor attaching said napkin, said napkin being structurally stabilized insaid preformed arcuate shape by said layer of heat activatable material,said material also providing a barrier to the flow of liquid throughsaid napkin.

6. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a liquid repellent layerof thermoplastic material covering the bottom of said core, a soft layerof absorbent material covering said repellent layer and core, and aliquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends formingtabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin being structurallystabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said layer ofthermoplastic material, said material also providing a barrier to theflow of liquid through said napkin.

7. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent" core, a liquid repellentlayer of thermosetting material covering the bottom of said core, a softlayer of absorbent material covering said repellent layer and core, anda liquid per vious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending endsforming tabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin being structurallystabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said layer ofthermosetting material, said material also providing a barrier to theflow of liquid through said napkin.

8. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that ofthe exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a heat activatable,liquid repellent plastic film covering the bottom and sides of saidcore, a soft layer of absorbent material covering said repellent plasticfilm and core, and a liquid pervious outer Wrapper, said napkin havingextending ends forming tabsfor attaching said napkin, said napkin beingstructurally stabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said plasticfilm, said film also providing a barrier to the flow of liquid throughsaid napkin.

9. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin having apreformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core of wood pulp fibers, aliquid repellent thermoplastic film covering the bottom of said core, asoft layer of absorbent material covering said film and core, and aliquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends formingtabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin being structurallystabilized in said preformed arcuate shape by said thermoplastic film,said film also providing a barrier to the flow of liquid through saidnapkin.

10. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating that of theexterior female pubicarea to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to the anus,said napkin having an elongated absorbent core, a-polyethylene filmcovering the bottom of said core, a soft layer of absorbent materialcovering said film and core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper, saidnapkin having extending ends forming tabs for attaching said napkin,said napkin being structurally stabilized in said preformed arcuateshape'by said polyethylene film, said film also providing a barrier tothe flow of liquid through said napkin.

11. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior femalepubic area to cover said area from forward'of the labia majora to theanus, said napkin having an elongated absorbent fibrous core, a heatactivatable plastic layer covering the bottom of said core, some of thefibers in said core in contact with said plastic layer being adheredthereto, a layer of soft absorbent material covering said plastic layerand core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin havingextending ends forming tabs for attaching said napkin, said napkin beingstructurally stabilized in said arcuate shape by said plastic layer,said layer also providing a barrier to the flow of liquid through saidnapkin.

12. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating'that of the exterior femalepubic area to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to theanus, said napkin having an elongated absorbent core of short celllosicfibers, a polyethylene film covering the bottom of said core, a softfibrous layer covering said polyethylene film and core, and a liquidpervious outer wrapper, some of the short cellulosic fibers in said corein contact with said polyethylene film being adhered thereto, saidpolyethylene film having an arcuate shape in the direction of the lengthof said napkin, said napkin having extending ends forming tabs forattaching said napkin, said napkin being structurally stabilized in saidpreformed arcuate shape by said polyethylene film, said film alsoproviding a barrier to the flow of liquid through said napkin.

13. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior femalepubic area to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to theanus, said napkin tapering inwardly from its ends to a relativelysmaller width at its center to fit comfortably in said area, said napkinhaving an elongated absorbent core, a fluid repellent layer of heatactivatable material covering the bottom and sides of said core, and afluid pervious outer wrapper, said napkin having extending ends formingtabs for attaching said napkin, the arcuate shape of said napkin beingstructurally stabilized by said layer of heat activatable material, saidmaterial also providing a barrier to the flow of fluid through saidnapkin.

14. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior femalepubic area to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to theanus, said napkin having an elongated absorbent fibrous core, a fluidrepellent layer of heat activatable material covering the bottom andsides of said core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper, said napkinhaving extending ends forming tabs for attaching said napkin, thearcuate shape of said napkin being structurally stabilized by said layerof heat activatable material, said material also providing a barrier tothe flow of fluid through said napkin.

15. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape approximating that of the exterior femalepubic area to cover said area from forward of the labia majora to theanus, said napkin having an elongated absorbent fibrous core, a fluidrepellent layer of heat activatable material covering the bottom andsides of said core, and a liquid pervious outer Wrapper, some of thefibers in said napkin in contact with said layer of heat activatablematerial being adhered thereto, said napkin having extending endsforming tabs for attaching said napkin, the arcuate shape of said napkinbeing structurally stabilized by said layer of heat activatablematerial, said material also providing a barrier to the flow of fluidthrough said napkin.

16. A sanitary napkin comprising absorbent material, said napkin havinga preformed arcuate shape in the direction of its length approximatingthat of the exterior female pubic area to cover said area from forwardof the labia majora to the anus, said napkin having an elongatedabsorbent core, a fluid repellent layer of heat activatable materialcovering the bottom of said core, and a liquid pervious outer wrapper,said napkin having extending ends forming tabs for attaching saidnapkin, the arcuate shape of said napkin being structurally stabilizedby said layer of heat activatable material, said material also providinga barrier to the flow of fluid through said napkin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,896,626 Voightman July 28, 1959 2,896,627 Harwood July 29, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 352,805 Great Britain July 11, 1 931

